2019 Audi A7

The 2019 Audi A7 coupe-like sedan comes in three trims, Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The A7 starts from $68,000 for the base premium trim and tops off at $76,300 for the top-level Prestige trim. The availability of features is long right from the base trim, while the optional specifications and packages increase with each trim. With the latest iteration, the most noticeable change is the inclusion of a number of driver-assistance features for a hassle-free driving experience. 

Which Trim should you buy?

The 2019 Audi A7 Premium Plus trim is the one to go for as it adds slightly more advanced safety and convenience features to the already long list of standard available specifications. So, although you might skip on a few fancy gadgets and gizmos available on the top trim you still get a lot to play with for a lesser price than the Prestige trim. At $72,400, the Premium Plus comes equipped with sublime features that include Audi’s virtual cockpit, a seat massage option, and a premium sound system. 

The outgoing model and the latest MY make the same horsepower but have different powertrains. The engine in the 2019 Audi A7 Sedan is a 3.0-liter V6 engine that makes 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The previously used 8-speed transmission is also replaced by a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Power is transferred to all wheels via Audi’s traditional Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The new engine also incorporates a 48-volt hybrid system which ensures there is no turbo lag and also aids in start/stop operations, this intelligent mix of electricity and gasoline power enables responsive acceleration while enabling respectable MPG figures. 

The 2019 Audi A7 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, putting it in a similar ballpark as its competitors. The quarter-mile run comes in 13.3 seconds and the sedan records a top speed of 155 MPH. However, if you want a performance focussed sedan that upholds similar practicality but can manage better acceleration capabilities, the 2019 Audi RS7 can be your choice of vehicle. 

Amongst the class, the 2019 Jaguar XF offers maximum power through its supercharged V6 unit and manages 380hp of power and 332 lb.-ft of torque. Yet it is slower than the range-topping Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 that uses a turbocharged inline-6 unit and manages 5.1 seconds to the 60 mph mark. The twin-turbocharged V6 equipped 2019 Porsche Panamera Sedan produces the lowest outputs at 330hp and 331lb.-ft and consequently, it is the slowest vehicle taking 5.4 seconds in the acceleration test. While the Audi is the quickest in quarter-mile runs, timings differ only marginally. 

How well does the 2019 Audi A7 Sedan handle?

The AWD Quattro system provides good traction in wet and dry weather and the intelligent chassis allows for responsive control while providing a planted ride. Even with 21-inch wheels installed the harsh thuds, and bumps go unnoticed. There are few driving modes to choose from, but they are not easily distinguishable as not much can be felt happening while changing between the modes. The adaptive suspension further adds to provide an immerse driving experience and whenever you get behind the wheel of the A7 you will end up smiling no matter how small the trim maybe. There is minimal body roll and the 2019 Audi A7 is utterly responsive to throttle inputs, however, it lacks linearity like its competitors. 

Braking Performance

Audi slaps on quite big brakes to the 2019 A7, which are much needed for the amount of power they have to control. The front discs are 14 inches while the rear is just an inch short. The added safety features and emergency braking technology further add to the stopping power keeping the distance for the car to come to a complete stop from 60 MPH at 107 ft.

While the braking performance of the Jaguar and Porsche cannot be determined in the absence of the halting distances, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 takes a longer distance than the Audi to come to a total halt covering 117ft, despite featuring the largest brakes in the segment. On the other hand, the lightest sedan, the 2019 XF, sports the smallest set of brakes that measure 13.8 and 12.8 inches, respectively.

MPG figures of the A7 stay at par with what the rivals have to offer. The combined power of the gasoline and the small hybrid system makes the engine a perfect combination of power and efficiency. EPA estimates that the 2019 Audi A7 will return 22/29/25 MPG for city/highway/combined cycles, but real-world results say otherwise and not in a bad way.

 In the real world, the A7 can exceed the estimated figures which means that if driven carefully it can surely keep you from burning a hole in your pocket in form of gas money. Though its fuel tank is the least voluminous at 19.3-gallons, it covers a higher combined range of 483 miles, than most of its rivals. 

2019 Porsche Panamera with its largest fuel tank allows for a better range of 498 miles. Audi on the other hand offers the best in class fuel economy. However, 2019 CLS 450 and 2019 XF average 21 and 23 MPG, respectively, and host smaller fuel tanks and consequently, fall short on range. 

German manufacturers are well reputed for their excellent build quality and comfortable interior. The 2019 Audi A7 Sedan keeps up this reputation thanks to the beautifully crafted interior. The use of premium and upscale materials and an elegant design which replaces buttons and knobs with a touch screen to control the infotainment and climate control functions make the cabin a very sophisticated and no-nonsense place to be.

The refined ride quality combined with the elegant interior makes the A7 a car that combines sportiness and luxury. The sloping roofline cuts short on the rear headroom but this Sportback design allows for a bigger cargo area than the A6 which is the base for the A7, meaning the A7 is more practical than the A6. The seats feel comfortable and have adequate bolstering to them and even though they are marginally lower in placement, the visibility of the road ahead is not an issue. 

Audi might cut short on the rear headroom due to the sloping roofline, but the 2019 A7 Sportback allows for a bigger cargo at 24.9 cubic feet, making it more practical than the rest of the cars as it can carry enough luggage for a weekend getaway, especially when compared to the 2019 CLS 450 that has the smallest trunk in comparison having a cargo capacity of 11.8 cubic feet. 

The 2019 Porsche Panamera is the most disadvantaged competitor in the segment and can seat four passengers only. While the front seat occupants have maximum space in the Mercedes-Benz, rear-seat head- and legroom are best in the 2019 Jaguar XF. 

There are a lot of features available as standard in the A7 which include:

• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Heated seats and steering wheels
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Ambient interior lighting
• Leather Upholstery
• Eight-way power-adjustable front seats 

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The center console beautifully encompasses two large touch screens which share their functions. The upper screen is a large 10.1-inch screen that handles all the infotainment and comfort features while the lower screen which is slightly smaller in size 8.6-inches comes with haptic feedback and handles all the climate control functions. The big-screen incorporates a lot of features as standard, and while it offers good quality graphics and icons that are big and easy to see, the placement of the screen requires the driver to take their eyes off the road which is quite distracting and also dangerous while driving. The standard sound system that the 2019 Audi A7 comes equipped with, performs appreciably. However, if you are particular about your tune, the optional Bang and Olufsen sound systems might come as a relief. 

The standard features incorporated in the infotainment system include:

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 4G LTE Hotspot
• Navigation
• Audi remote services
• MMI touchscreen system with handwriting recognition
• Bluetooth and USB Connectivity

The 2019 Audi A7 Sedan is a car that stands out from the crowd. The distinct styling makes it an easily recognizable car. The blacked-out front grille is surrounded by the new signature lights. These laser light headlamps have blue emitters that look straight-up from the future.

The rear end has a full length LED taillight which spans across the trunk and has a funky animation which makes all the car stand out and even though it comes at a less expensive price than the rivals, these little touches make it feel way more expensive.

The Jaguar is the lightest while the Audi is the heaviest weighing 3,870 and 4,332 lbs respectively. The rest of the dimensions of the cars remain almost identical to each other which shows that the automakers give a lot of attention to their cars while building because of which the competition remains fierce.

Safety has been Audi’s primary concern and with the stricter regulations and rules of the government, automakers have been paying special attention to the safety standard and crashworthiness of their vehicles. The A7 comes with various standard features apart from the basic safety features like airbags, traction and stability control, ABS and EBD it has a host of advanced driver aid features as well.

The NHTSA has not had a chance to test the A7 as of now, but the IIHS has tested the car and it passed with flying colors and scored the top rating of ‘Good’ in all the tests and the top trim also gained the title of ‘Top Safety Pick’ the reason why only the top trim managed that title is due to the headlights, the other two trims which are Premium, and Premium Plus managed ‘Poor’ and ‘Marginal’ ratings for their lights respectively.

The advanced list of safety features that come with the A7 include:

• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Automated emergency braking
• Standard Front collision warning
• 24 sensors with 12 ultrasonic sensors for parking
• Surround-view camera
• Available night vision camera, and adaptive cruise control.

2019 Audi A7 Sedan vs 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

Both, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, have been in a long battle since they came face to face, and regardless of the segment, the fight between these two stays close. They are almost identical in every way and do not have a huge difference in pricing. The 2019 Audi A7 with slightly better rear space, more fuel efficiency, and more cargo space take the win for this round against the Mercedes-Benz CLS class.

2019 Audi A7 Sedan vs 2019 Jaguar XF

The 2019 Jaguar XF comes with a supercharged engine, which sounds good, but is less torquey and fuel-efficient than the Turbo V6 in Audi. With a rather less intuitive infotainment system and lower cargo capacity, the XF looks bad when compared to the 2019 Audi A7.

2019 Audi A7 Sedan vs 2020 Porsche Panamera

Both Audi and Porsche have a lot in common in terms of mechanical fittings as they come from the same parent company. The 2019 Porsche Panamera comes with a hefty price tag and hands down, it offers the best build quality and finishes, but what the Audi does is offer everything the Porsche does at a slightly affordable price making it a better choice than the Panamera.

Audi has refreshed the new A7 for the 2019 model, and this second-generation model not only has cosmetic changes but also a very intelligent powertrain, it retains the sporty and exciting driving characteristic thanks to the intelligent chassis and comes with a sophisticated and classic looking interior which is in contrast with the aggressive yet striking looking exterior. You might wonder that it costs more than the almost identical A6, well, the extra cargo space and all the added features and design are surely worth the extra money. When you step in it and take it for the spin you will realize that the 2019 Audi A7 Sedan is worth every penny.